An officer performing the duties of another officer besides his/her own duties for a specified period approved by an applicable Approving Authority.

If there is a substantive vacancy for the post or the operation and duties of the vacant post must be performed continuously to avoid disruptions to organisational functions.

A directive to cover for duties shall be made in writing to the officer by the Head of Department.

The duration of the covering must not exceed six (6) months. If necessary, the Head of Department shall re-apply to the Approving Authority to enable the officer to continue covering the post.

The covering shall commence on a working day.

If the covering period ends on a weekend or a public holiday, that period may be included for the purpose of paying the Covering Allowance.

If the officer stops covering the duties for fourteen (14) days or more, the Head of Department shall make a new recommendation to the Approving Authority regarding whether the officer should continue covering the duties or certify another officer.

The officer eligible to be certified for covering of duties is:

1. An officer who has already been confirmed in service;
2. If no officer has been confirmed in service, an officer who has worked for at least one year may be recommended; and
3. Priority for covering the duties shall be given to the most qualified officer in terms of experience, qualifications, skills, expertise and good performance.

A Grade N17 Administrative Assistant (Clerical/Operation) should have such credentials as stipulated in the scheme of service of a Technical Assistant to enable him/her to cover the duties.

A nurse is not allowed to cover the duties of another nurse as shift work is unsuitable to be carried out through covering for duties.

The covering for duties should be approved by the Approving Authority as per Appendix A, Service Circular Number 17 of 2007.

The Covering Allowance rate is based on the lowest starting salary for the applicable scheme of service for the post.

The Covering Allowance rate is based on the lowest salary grade.

The Covering Allowance rate is based on the starting salary of the scheme of service of the officer covering the open post.

An officer who is covering for duties is not allowed to apply for leave. If the officer has gone on leave, the Covering Allowance period will commence on the date the officer returns to work after the leave.

Yes. For an officer who has been approved to cover the same post, the Covering Allowance for covering the duties for the second time may be paid after the officer has carried out the duties for fourteen (14) consecutive days, including weekends and public holidays.

The Overtime Payment for an officer who is covering for duties may only be paid after two (2) hours fifteen (15) minutes from the end of office hours.

No. This is because an officer is eligible for only one (1) Covering Allowance at any one time.